This article was built out of theoretical and practical reflections done at Núcleo de Estudos da Infância: Pesquisa & Extensão (NEI:P&E). The Nucleo of Childhood Studies: Research & Extension is part of the Research Group Childhood, Youth and Education from PROPED/UERJ. By tradition our studies cover issues linked with Human Development (children, their families, teachers and helpers). Our theoretical perspective is socio-historical and cultural, based on the work developed by Lev Vygotsky and Henri Wallon. The research is done on three municipalities: Rio de Janeiro, Juiz de Fora e Niterói. The Educational Policy of Early Education, from 2009 to 2013, is the focus of the studies. The tensions existented between the text of the policies and everyday practices, in addition to its historical and cultural implications is which guides and distinguishes the approaches in each municipality.
infant education; educational policy; social-historical & cultural approach